Managing Marginal Soils for Sustainable Growth of Oil Palms in the Tropics

S. Paramananthan

Abstract
There are a number of problematic soils in the Tropics. They are soils on steep terrain, soils of the dry regions,highly weathered soils, lateritic soils, acid sulfate soils, saline soils, sandy soils, organic soils and soils after specific land use change.This paper discusses the various problems that each of these groups of soils have and the various management practices that can be taken to overcome these problems so that they can produce oil palms on a sustainable basis. Each of these problem soil groups have their own limitations, some of which are difficult or costly to overcome. Sometimes oil palm may not be the best crop for the area. However, economic and labour considerations will determine the final decision.